Switching converter

ABSTRACT

To improve conversion efficiency at a DC-DC conversion time by providing driving units respectively for a plurality of switches and controlling the switches corresponding to a load current, an input voltage, an output voltage and an input/output voltage difference. When synchronously rectifying a plurality of first switches and a plurality of second switches by setting the first switches and the second switches alternately in an ON-state, the plurality of first switches are driven repeatedly in the ON- or OFF-state corresponding to a required output, the plurality of second switches are driven in the ON- or OFF-state in synchronization with the first switches, the driving of part of the plurality of first switches and part or all of the plurality of second switches is stopped corresponding to a load current value, an input voltage value, an output voltage value or an input/output voltage difference value.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a Continuation-In-Part Application of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/239,364, filed Sept. 30, 2005, now abandoned,and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a technology for conducting synchronousrectification type DC-to-DC conversion or AC-to-DC conversion.

A synchronous rectification type DC-DC converter has hitherto beenemployed for a variety of electronic devices. The synchronousrectification type DC-DC converter has a function of reducing DC powerobtained through conversion by, e.g., an AC adapter from a commercialpower source, DC power obtained from a battery and so on down to avoltage suited to an operation of an internal circuit. This synchronousrectification type DC-DC converter has an advantage that efficiency ishigh while a loss is small.

A synchronous rectification type DC-DC converter is considered to have,for example, a configuration shown in FIG. 13. The DC-DC converterincludes an FET 111 serving as a main switch connected to an inputterminal 101, an FET 112 serving as a synchronous rectification switchconnected between a source terminal of the FET 111 and the ground, anoutput coil 113, an output capacitor 114, an input capacitor 115, and anFET driver unit 116 for alternately driving the FET 111 and the FET 112.

In the DC-DC converter in FIG. 13, an oscillation control unit 120controls the FET driver unit 116 in accordance with outputs of an outputvoltage detection unit 117, an output current detection unit 118 and anoperating state control unit 119, and controls an output voltage bychanging a duty ratio of the FET 111.

A conceivable configuration of the DC-DC converter is that in the caseof requiring a large load current, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, aplurality of output control FETs 91, 92 are provided and driven by adriver circuit 93, and a plurality of synchronous rectification FETs 94,95 are provided and driven by a driver circuit 96.

Further, a known configuration is that a multiplicity of driver circuits(circuits of controlling the FETs) is prepared to selectively operatethe FETs, thus giving flexibility to fluctuations in load. It is, forinstance, a DC-DC converter (ADP3205 (Analog Devices IC) etc.) flexibleto multiphase.

This type of flexible-to-multiphase DC-DC converter includes the FET anda coil for every phase. Namely, this DC-DC converter includes n-piecesof output control FETs, n-pieces of synchronous rectification FETs andn-pieces of coils for n-phases.

In this system, if the load current is small, circuit efficiency isimproved by stopping the driver for driving the phase on aphase-by-phase basis.

Further, the prior arts related to the invention of the application arethe following technologies disclosed in Patent documents 1 and 2.

[Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open PublicationNo. 2003-284333

[Patent document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open PublicationNo. 2003-319649

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As described above, in the DC-DC converter provided with the driver forevery phase, if the drivers are stopped, all of the plurality of FETsdriven by the drivers can not be used, and hence only the control assimple as stopping the respective phases or stopping the respectivephases, wherein optimum conversion efficiency is not necessarilyacquired depending on the load and a state of input/output voltages.

Particularly, a mobile-oriented personal computer comes to have a highload in a scene that emphasizes its performance and have a low load in astandby (suspend) status such as being carried, wherein a highefficiency is hard to implement both in the high-load status and in thelow-load status due to a large fluctuation in load.

A general type of power source circuit is designed in consideration of amaximum load status and has such a tendency that a converting efficiencyabruptly declines in the low-load status. Therefore, it is alsoconsidered that in the low-load status, the efficiency is increased bydecreasing an oscillation frequency in a way that changes theoscillation system from a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) system to a PFM(Pulse Frequency Modulation) system.

However, a loss per oscillation is the same, and this loss is requiredto be reduced.

Such being the case, the invention provides a technology for improvingthe conversion efficiency at a switching conversion time by providingdriving units for a plurality of switches and controlling the respectiveswitches in accordance with a load current value, an input voltagevalue, an output voltage value and an input/output voltage differencevalue.

For solving the problems, the invention adopts the followingconfigurations. Namely, a control circuit of the invention is a controlcircuit of a switching converter for converting an input electric powerto an output electric power by setting a plurality of first switches anda second switch alternately to an ON-state, the control circuitincluding: a plurality of first driving units for respectively driving aplurality of first switches; a second driving unit for driving thesecond switch; and a selection unit for stopping part of the pluralityof first driving units in accordance with a load current value, an inputvoltage value, an output voltage value or an input/output voltagedifference value.

Further, a control circuit of the invention is a control circuit of aswitching converter for converting an input electric power to an outputelectric power by setting a switch and a plurality of second switchesalternately to an ON-state, the control circuit including: a firstdriving unit for driving the first switch; a plurality of second drivingunits for respectively driving the plurality of second switches; and aselection unit for stopping part or the whole of the plurality of seconddriving units in accordance with a load current value, an input voltagevalue, an output voltage value or an input/output voltage differencevalue.

Moreover, a control circuit of the invention is a control circuit of aswitching converter for converting an input electric power to an outputelectric power by setting a plurality of first switches and a pluralityof second switches alternately to an ON-state, the control circuitincluding: a plurality of first driving units for repeatedly driving theplurality of first switches in an ON- or OFF-state in accordance with arequired output; a plurality of second driving units for driving theplurality of second switches in the ON- or OFF-state in synchronizationwith the first switches; and a selection unit for stopping part of theplurality of first driving units and part or all of the plurality ofsecond driving units in accordance with pieces of predeterminedinformation (a load current value, an output voltage value, an inputvoltage value or an input/output voltage difference value).

Further, a switching converter of the invention includes:

-   -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a second switch;    -   a plurality of first driving units for driving each of the        plurality of first switches;    -   a second driving unit for driving the second switch;    -   a detection unit for detecting a load current value, an input        voltage value, an output voltage value or an input/output        voltage difference value; and    -   a selection unit for stopping part of the plurality of first        driving units in accordance with a result of the detection by        the detection unit.

Still further, a switching converter of the invention includes:

-   -   a first switch;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a first driving unit for driving the first switch;    -   a plurality of second driving units for driving each of the        plurality of second switches;    -   a detection unit for detecting a load current value, an input        voltage value, an output voltage value or an input/output        voltage difference value; and    -   a selection unit for stopping part or all of the plurality of        second driving units in accordance with a result of the        detection by the detection unit.

Moreover, a switching converter of the invention includes:

-   -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a plurality of first driving units for repeatedly driving the        plurality of first switches in an ON- or OFF-state in accordance        with a required output;    -   a plurality of second driving units for driving respectively the        plurality of second switches in the ON-state in synchronization        with the first switches;    -   a detection unit for detecting pieces of predetermined        information (a load current value, an output voltage value, an        input voltage value or an input/output voltage difference        value); and    -   a selection unit for stopping part of the plurality of first        driving units and part or all of the plurality of second driving        units in accordance with the information detected by the        detection unit.

The first switch may be an FET, wherein a drain terminal is connected toan input terminal, a source terminal is connected to the second switch,and a gate terminal is connected to the first driving unit. A pluralityof FETs may be connected in parallel between the input terminal and thesecond switch.

The second switch may be an FET, wherein a drain terminal is connectedto the first switch, a source terminal is connected to the ground, and agate terminal is connected to the second driving unit. A plurality ofFETs may be connected in parallel between the second switch and theground.

Further, the switching converter may include a coil of which oneterminal is connected to the first switch (the source terminal of theFET) and to the second switch (the drain terminal of the FET) and ofwhich the other terminal is connected to the output terminal, and also asmoothing capacitor connected between the output terminal and theground.

Moreover, a switching circuit of the invention includes: an A-coilconnected to an output terminal; a first A-switch for switching electricpower outputted via the A-coil; a second A-switch for makingrectification so as to become an ON-state alternately with the firstA-switch; a B-coil connected in series to the A-coil; a first B-switchfor switching the electric power outputted via the B-coil and theA-coil; and a second B-switch for making the rectification so as tobecome an ON-state alternately with the first B-switch.

Still further, a switching converter of the invention includes: anA-coil connected to an output terminal; a first A-switch for switchingelectric power outputted via the A-coil; a second A-switch for makingrectification so as to become an ON-state alternately with the firstA-switch; an A-driving unit for driving the first A-switch and thesecond A-switch alternately; a B-coil connected in series to the A-coil;a first B-switch for switching the electric power outputted via theB-coil and the A-coil; a second B-switch for making the rectification soas to become an ON-state alternately with the first B-switch; aB-driving unit for driving the first B-switch and the second B-switchalternately; and a selection unit for causing the A-driving unit and theB-driving unit to drive selectively.

In the switching converter, the first A-switch and the second A-switchmay be set to have a larger capacity than the first B-switch and thesecond B-switch have, and

-   -   the selection unit may drive the A-driving unit when an output        load is higher than a predetermined value and may drive the        B-driving unit when the output load is equal to or lower than        the predetermined value.

In the switching converter, the A-coil may be set to have a largercapacity than the B-coil, and

-   -   the selection unit may drive, corresponding to a load on the        output side, the A-driving unit when the load is higher than a        predetermined value and may drive the B-driving unit when the        load is equal to or lower than the predetermined value.

The A-coil may have a lower inductance than the B-coil.

In the switching converter,

-   -   the A-driving unit may be set to have a larger capacity than the        B-driving unit, and    -   the selection unit may drive, corresponding to a load on the        output side, the A-driving unit when the load is higher than a        predetermined value and may drive the B-driving unit when the        load is equal to or lower than the predetermined value.

In the switching converter, the A-coil may extend from one terminal ofthe single coil up to a middle point thereof, and the B-coil may extendfrom the middle point up to the other terminal thereof.

In the switching converter,

-   -   the selection unit may receive information representing an        operating state of a load-sided circuit, and may drive the        A-driving unit or the B-driving unit in accordance with the        information.

The selection unit may drive the A-driving unit or the B-driving unit inaccordance with an output current.

Further, a switching converter of the invention includes:

-   -   a first A-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to an        input terminal;    -   a second A-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to a        source terminal of the first A-FET, and a source terminal that        is connected to the ground;    -   an A-driving unit connected to gate terminals of the first A-FET        and of the second A-FET, and driving the first A-FET and the        second A-FET alternately;    -   an A-coil having one terminal that is connected to an        A-oscillation part to which the source terminal of the first        A-FET and the drain terminal of the second A-FET are connected,        and having the other terminal that is connected to an output        terminal;    -   a first B-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to an        input terminal;    -   a second B-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to the        source terminal of the first B-FET and a source terminal that is        connected to the ground;    -   a B-driving unit connected to gate terminals of the first B-FET        and of the second B-FET, and driving the first B-FET and the        second B-FET alternately;    -   a B-coil having one terminal that is connected to an        B-oscillation part to which the source terminal of the first        B-FET and the drain terminal of the second B-FET are connected,        and having the other terminal that is connected to A-oscillation        part; and    -   a selection unit for selectively driving the A-driving unit and        the B-driving unit.

Moreover, an electronic device of the invention is a device having aswitching converter and a load operating by an output from the switchingconverter,

-   -   the switching converter including:    -   an A-coil connected to the output terminal;    -   a first A-switch for switching electric power outputted via the        A-coil;    -   a second A-switch for making rectification so as to become an        ON-state alternately with the first A-switch;    -   an A-driving unit for driving the first A-switch and the second        B-switch alternately;    -   a B-coil connected in series to the A-coil;    -   a first B-switch for switching the electric power outputted via        the B-coil and the A-coil;    -   a second B-switch for making the rectification so as to become        an ON-state alternately with the first B-switch;    -   an A-driving unit for driving the first B-switch and the second        B-switch alternately; and    -   a selection unit for causing the A-driving unit and the        B-driving unit to drive selectively.

According to the invention, it is possible to improve the conversionefficiency at the switching conversion time by providing the drivingunits respectively for the plurality of switches and controlling therespective switches in accordance with the load current value, the inputvoltage value, the output voltage value and the input/output voltagedifference value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an outline of a first embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing ON/OFF time changes of an output control FETand a synchronous rectification FET.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the ON/OFF time changes of the outputcontrol FET and the synchronous rectification FET when an input/outputvoltage difference is large.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the ON/OFF time changes of the outputcontrol FET and the synchronous rectification FET when the input/outputvoltage difference is small.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an outline of a second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an outline in a third embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an output voltage and an oscillationwaveform in a DC-DC converter in the related background art.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an output voltage and an oscillationwaveform in a DC-DC converter in the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an outline in a first modified example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an outline in a second modified example.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an external configuration of a notebookPC as an electronic device of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a periphery to a power source unitof the electronic device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an outline of a DC-DC converter in the relatedbackground art.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an outline of the DC-DC converter in the relatedbackground art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A best mode for carrying out the invention will hereinafter be describedwith reference to the drawings. Configurations of the followingembodiments are exemplifications, and the invention is not limited tothe configurations of the embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an outline of a synchronous rectification typeswitching converter (DC-DC converter) according to the invention. FETs(Field-Effect Transistors) 11 a, 11 b defined as first switches areprovided in parallel between an input terminal 10 a and an outputterminal 10 b of this DC-DC converter 1, and an inductor L is disposedon the side of the output terminal 10 b. Further, FETs 12 a, 12 b assecond switches are provided in parallel between this inductor L and anearthed point 13. Herein, the first and second switches involve usingthe FETs and may also be other types of switching elements without beinglimited to the FETs.

The FETs 11 a, 11 b as the first switches might be referred to as outputcontrol switches, output control FETs, main switches, main-side FETs,high-side switches, high-side FETs, and so on.

The FETs 12 a, 12 b as the second switches might be referred to assynchronous rectification switches, synchronous rectification FETs,synchronous-rectification-side FETs, low-side switches, low-side FETs,and so forth.

Moreover, a diode 14 a is disposed in parallel with the synchronousrectification FETs 12 a, 12 b.

Then, this DC-DC converter 1 is provided with a control circuit 15 forcontrolling the output control FETs 11 a, 11 b and the synchronousrectification FETs 12 a, 12 b so as to set these FETs in an ON-state,alternately.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing ON/OFF time changes of the output controlFETs 11 a, 11 b and the synchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b.

Thus, an electric current from the input terminal 10 a is kept flowingduring only a period of the ON-state of the output control FETs 11 a, 11b, then smoothed by the inductor L and a capacitor C and thus outputted,whereby an input voltage is converted into an output voltagecorresponding to a duty ratio of the output control FETs 11 a, 11 b.

The control circuit 15 includes drivers 16 a-16 d for respectivelydriving the output control FETs 11 a, 11 b and the synchronousrectification FETs 12 a, 12 b, a selector 17 for selectively stoppingthe drivers 16 a-16 d, and a PWM comparator 18 for supplying pulsesignals to the respective drivers 16 a-16 d via the selector 17.

An input from a differential amplifier 19 and a signal from a triangularwave oscillator 21 are inputted to the PWM comparator 18.

The differential amplifier 19 receives an input of a reference voltageV1 and an input of an output voltage from the output terminal 10 b, andinputs an error signal representing a deviation of the output voltagefrom the reference voltage V1 to the PWM comparator 18. On the otherhand, the triangular wave oscillator 21 generates and inputs atriangular wave having a predetermined frequency to the PWM comparator18.

With this operation, the PWM comparator 18 outputs, to the selector 17,the pulse signal having a pulse width based on the error signal givenfrom the differential amplifier 19 at a timing of the triangular waveinputted from the triangular wave oscillator 21. Herein, the PWMcomparator 18 in this example, based on the error signal, outputs thepulse signal having a wider pulse width as the output voltage gets lowerthan the reference voltage V1, and generates the pulse signal having anarrower pulse width as the output voltage gets higher than thereference voltage V1. Then, the selector 17 inputs the pulse signals tothe drivers 16 a, 16 b (a first driving unit), and sets ON/OFF theoutput control FETs 11 a, 11 b as shown in FIG. 2. Simultaneously, theselector 17 substantially inverts and thus inputs the pulse signalsgiven from the PWM comparator 18 to the drivers (a second driving unit)16 c, 16 d, and sets ON/OFF the synchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12b as shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the duty ratios of the output controlFETs 11 a, 11 b and the synchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b areadjusted corresponding to the output voltage, and the output voltage isfeedback-controlled so as to become a predetermined voltage value.Herein, the drivers 16 a-16 d, without being limited to the control at atiming when the ON/OFF settings of the output control FETs 11 a, 11 band the synchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b are strictly inverted,may have a period when setting both types of FETs OFF simultaneously ina way that takes account of a through-current.

Further, the control circuit 15 includes a differential amplifier (inputvoltage detection unit) 22 for detecting the input voltage, and adifferential amplifier (output voltage detection unit) 23 for detectingthe output voltage. The differential amplifier 22 inputs an error signalrepresenting a deviation of the input voltage from a reference voltageV2 to the selector 17, and the differential amplifier 23 inputs an errorsignal representing a deviation of the output voltage from a referencevoltage V3 to the selector 17. Thus, a difference (I/O voltagedifference) between the input voltage and the output voltage is obtainedby detecting the input voltage and the output voltage. Namely, in thefirst embodiment, the differential amplifiers 22 and 23 correspond to avoltage difference detection unit.

Then, the selector 17 selectively stops the drivers 16 a-16 d on thebasis of the difference (I/O voltage difference) between the inputvoltage and the output voltage. Namely, the selector 17 does not inputthe pulse signal to the driver to be stopped so that the FET is notcharged with a gate voltage.

For instance, when the frequency of the pulse signal outputted from thetriangular wave oscillator 21 is 100 kHz, the input voltage is 16 V andthe output voltage is 1V, the ON/OFF time of the output control FETs 11a, 11 b and of the synchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b becomes asshown in FIG. 3.

Similarly, when the input voltage is 16V and the output voltage is 15V,the ON/OFF time of the output control FETs 11 a, 11 b and of thesynchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b becomes as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, if there is a large I/O voltage difference (15 V),the ON-time of the output control FETs 11 a, 11 b is as short as 0.625μs, and a product of the electric power applied to the output controlFETs 11 a, 11 b is small. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, if the I/Ovoltage difference is small (1 V), the ON-time of the output controlFETs 11 a, 11 b is as long as 9.375 μs, and the product of the electricpower applied to the output control FETs 11 a, 11 b is large. Therefore,if the DC-DC converter is a converter capable of converting the outputvoltage into 1 V trough 15 V when the input voltage is 16 V, the outputcontrol FETs 11 a, 11 b are so designed as to withstand the minimum I/Ovoltage difference (1 V). Hence, as shown in FIG. 3, if the I/O voltagedifference increases and falls within an allowable range of one outputcontrol FET, switching can be done by only the other even when stoppingone of the output control FETs 11 a, 11 b.

For example, when stopping the output control FET 11 a, a drain currentof the output FET 11 b comes to 10 A, and, if the output control FET 11b withstands the drain current of 10 A for 2 μs, it can be said that theoutput control FET 11 b is capable of switching with the I/O voltagedifference that is on the order of 10 V. Such being the case, theselector 17 is set so as to stop the driver 16 a for the output controlFET 11 a if the I/O voltage difference is equal to or larger than 10 Vand to drive the drivers 16 a, 16 b for both of the output control FETs11 a and 11 b if the I/O voltage difference is less than 10V. Note thatthese numerical values can be arbitrarily set depending on the FETs tobe used, a load, and so on. Further, the example has exemplified thecase of stopping one of the two output control FETs 11 a, 11 b, and mayalso adopt such a configuration that a larger number of output controlFETs are provided, part of these FETs are stopped, and the remainingFETs conduct switching.

Thus, the minimum number of elements necessary for switching isdetermined by the ON-time of the output control FET, and hence, in thefirst embodiment, the selector 17 sets so that the pulse signals areselectively supplied to the drivers of which the number corresponds tothe I/O voltage difference inputted by the differential amplifiers 22,23. Namely, the selector 17 stops the driver for the output control FETsexceeding the necessary number of FET. Note that a method of determiningspecifically which driver should be stopped corresponding to thenecessary number of FETs can be arbitrarily set.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, if the I/O voltage difference islarge (15 V), the ON-time of the synchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12b is as long as 9.375 μs, and a product of electric power applied to thesynchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b is large. Further, as shown inFIG. 4, if the I/O voltage difference is small (1 V), the ON-time of thesynchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b is as short as 0.625 μs, andthe product of the electric power applied to the synchronousrectification FETs 12 a, 12 b is small. Accordingly, if the DC-DCconverter is the converter capable of converting the output voltage into1 V trough 15 V when the input voltage is 16 V, the synchronousrectification FETs 12 a, 12 b are so designed as to withstand themaximum I/O voltage difference (15 V). Hence, as shown in FIG. 4, if theI/O voltage difference decreases and falls within an allowable range ofone synchronous rectification FET, switching can be done by only theother even when stopping one of the synchronous rectification FETs 12 a,12 b.

Moreover, if the electric power applied to the synchronous rectificationFETs 12 a, 12 b is small and if a power loss is small enough to beignorable when this electric power is applied to the diode 14, all thesynchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b may be stopped.

For example, when stopping the synchronous rectification FET 12 a, thedrain current of the synchronous rectification FET 12 b comes to 10 A,and the synchronous rectification FET 12 b, if able to withstand thedrain current of 10 A for 2 μs, can be said to be capable of switchingwith the I/I voltage difference of 3 V. Such being the case, theselector 17 is set so as to stop the drivers 16 a, 16 d for both of thesynchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b if the I/O voltage differenceis less than 1.5 V, to stop the driver 16 c for the synchronousrectification FET 12 a if the I/O voltage difference is equal to orlarger than 1.5 V but is equal to or smaller than 3 V, and to drive thedrivers 16 c, 16 d for both of the synchronous rectification FETs 12 a,12 b if the I/O voltage difference exceeds 3V. Note that these numericalvalues can be arbitrarily set depending on the FETs to be used, a load,and so on. Further, the example has exemplified the case of stopping oneor two of the two synchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b, and mayalso adopt such a configuration that a larger number of synchronousrectification FETs are provided, part of these FETs are stopped, and theremaining FETs conduct switching.

Thus, the minimum number of the elements required for switching isdetermined depending on the ON-time of the synchronous rectificationFETs, and hence, in the first embodiment, the selector 17 sets to supplythe pulse signals selectively to the drivers of which the numbercorresponds to the I/O voltage difference inputted by the differentialamplifiers 22, 23. Namely, the selector 17 stops the drivers for thesynchronous rectification FET exceeding the necessary number of FET.Note that the method of determining specifically which driver should bestopped, can be arbitrarily set.

With this setting, part of the drivers 16 a-16 d are stopped when theload is light with the result that the electric power consumed by thosedrivers can be reduced, thereby attaining the power-saving, i.e., animprovement of the converting efficiency.

For example, there are provided four pieces of driver circuits havingpower consumption of 25 mW per piece (namely, the power consumption ofall the driver circuits is given by 25 mW×4=100 mW), and, when operatingthese four driver circuits, there must be a 20% loss with respect to aload of load power given by 5 V×100 mA=500 mW. Herein, in the case ofdriving only two driver circuits while stopping part of these drivercircuits, an improvement of a 50 mW power loss can be attained. That is,the power loss can be reduced down to 10% from 20% with respect to theload.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the driverprepared for every FET is stopped or driven corresponding to the stateof the I/O voltage difference, thereby enabling the optimum drivecontrol and the improvement of the efficiency of the DC-DC converter.

Note that the first embodiment has adopted the configuration that theselector 17 stops part of the drivers corresponding to the I/O voltagedifference and may also take, without being limited to thisconfiguration, such a configuration that the selector 17 stops part ofthe drivers corresponding to the input voltage or the output voltage.

For instance, if the output voltage takes substantially a fixed value,the minimum number of the FETs required can be determined in the sameway as described above from the difference between the output voltageassumed to be this value and the input voltage, and therefore, with theoutput voltage detection unit (differential amplifier) 23 omitted, theselector 17 may stop the drivers of which the number corresponds to theinput voltage of the input voltage detection unit (difference amplifier)22.

Moreover, for instance, if the input voltage takes substantially a fixedvalue, the minimum number of the FETs required can be determined in thesame way as described above from the difference between the inputvoltage assumed to be this value and the output voltage, and therefore,with the input voltage detection unit (differential amplifier) 22omitted, the selector 17 may stop the drivers of which the numbercorresponds to the output voltage of the output voltage detection unit(difference amplifier) 23.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an outline of a DC-DC converter shown by way of asecond embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the firstembodiment in terms of a point that the driver to be stopped isdetermined corresponding to a load current, and other configurations arethe same. Therefore, the same components as those in the firstembodiment are marked with the same numerals and symbols, and therepetitive explanations are omitted in principle.

As shown in FIG. 5, a DC-DC converter 1 a in the second embodimentincludes a load current detector 24 that detects a current flowingacross a resistor R in the vicinity of an output terminal 10 b, i.e.,detects the output current (load current), wherein a signalcorresponding to this output current is inputted to a selector 17 a.

Then, the selector 17 a in the second embodiment stops the driver on thebasis of this load current and the I/O voltage difference describedabove.

Namely, a relationship between the I/O voltage difference and the numberof the drivers to be stopped is determined by the load current, andhence, in the DC-DC converter 1 a according to the second embodiment,the selector 17 a is set to stop the driver based on the relationshipcorresponding to this load current.

For instance, if the load current is 12 A with respect to the drivers 16a, 16 b on the output control side, the selector 17 a is set to stop thedriver 16 a for the output control FET 11 a when the I/O voltagedifference is equal to or larger than 12 V, to drive the drivers 16 a,16 b for both of the output control FETs 11 a and 11 b when the I/Ovoltage difference is less than 12 V, and is further set to, if the loadcurrent is 10 A, stop the driver 16 a for the output control FET 11 awhen the I/O voltage difference is equal to or larger than 10 V and todrive the drivers 16 a, 16 b for both of the output control FETs 11 aand 11 b when the I/O voltage difference is less than 10 V.

Then, if the load current is 12 A with respect to the drivers 16 c, 16 don the synchronous rectification side, the selector 17 is set to stopthe drivers 16 c, 16 d for both of the synchronous rectification FETs 12a, 12 b when the I/O voltage difference is less than 1.1 V, to stop thedriver 16 c for the synchronous rectification FET 12 a when the I/Ovoltage difference is equal to larger than 1.1 V but is equal to orsmaller than 2 V, and to drive the drivers 16.c, 16 d for both ofsynchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b when the I/O voltagedifference exceeds 2 V, and is further set to, if the load current is 10A, stop the drivers 16 c, 16 d for both of the synchronous rectificationFETs 12 a, 12 b when the I/O voltage difference is less than 1.5V, tostop the driver 16 c for the synchronous rectification FET 12 a when theI/O voltage difference is equal to larger than 1.5 V but is equal to orsmaller than 3 V, and to drive the drivers 16 c, 16 d for both ofsynchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b when the I/O voltagedifference exceeds 3 V. Note that these numerical values can bearbitrarily set depending on the FETs to be used, a load, and so on.Further, the example has exemplified the case of stopping one of the twooutput control FETs 11 a, 11 b, and the case of stopping one or two ofthe two synchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b, and may also adoptsuch a configuration that a larger number of FETs are provided, part ofthese FETs are stopped, and the remaining FETs conduct switching.

Moreover, the second embodiment has adopted the configuration that theselector 17 stops part of the drivers corresponding to the I/O voltagedifference and the load current and may also take, without being limitedto this configuration, such a configuration that the selector 17 stopspart of the drivers corresponding to the input voltage/the load current,the output voltage/load current, or only the load current.

For instance, if the output voltage takes substantially a fixed value,the minimum number of the FETs required can be determined in the sameway as described above from the difference between the output voltageassumed to be this value and the input voltage and from the loadcurrent, so that the selector 17, with the output voltage detection unit(differential amplifier) 23 omitted, may stop the drivers of which thenumber corresponds to the input voltage detected by the input voltagedetection unit (differential amplifier) 22 and the load current detectedby the load current detection unit 24.

Further, if the input voltage takes substantially a fixed value, theminimum number of the FETs required can be determined in the same way asdescribed above from the difference between the input voltage assumed tobe this value and the output voltage and from the load current, so thatthe selector 17, with the input voltage detection unit (differentialamplifier) 22 omitted, may stop the drivers of which the numbercorresponds to the output voltage detected by the output voltagedetection unit (differential amplifier) 23 and the load current detectedby the load current detection unit 24.

Moreover, if the I/O voltage difference takes substantially a fixedvalue, the minimum number of the FETs required can be determined in thesame way as described above from the I/O voltage difference assumed tobe this value and from the load current, so that the selector 17, withthe input voltage detection unit (differential amplifier) 22 and theoutput voltage detection unit (differential amplifier) 23 omitted, maystop the drivers of which the number corresponds to the load currentdetected by the load current detection unit 24.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the switching converter (DC-DCconverter) by way of a third embodiment of the invention.

In a DC-DC converter 1 b in the third embodiment, an FET (Field-EffectTransistor) 11 a defined as a first A-switch and an FET 11 b defined asa first B-switch are provided in parallel between an input terminal 10 aand an output terminal 10 b, and inductors (coils) L1, L2 are disposedon the side of this output terminal 10 b. Further, an FET 12 a definedas a second A-switch and an FET 12 b defined as a second B-switch areprovided in parallel between the coils L1, L2 and a ground point 13.

Namely, the DC-DC converter 1 b includes an FET 11 a (corresponding to afirst A-FET) of which a drain terminal is connected to the inputterminal 10 a, an FET 12 a (corresponding to a second A-FET) of which adrain terminal is connected to a source terminal of the FET 11 a and ofwhich a source terminal is connected to the ground, a coil L1(corresponding to an A-coil) having one terminal that is connected to anoscillation part 31 a (corresponding to an A-oscillation part) to whichthe source terminal of the FET 11 a and the drain terminal of the FET 12a are connected, and having the other terminal that is connected to theoutput terminal 10 b, an FET 11 b (corresponding to a first B-FET) ofwhich a drain terminal is connected to the input terminal 10 a, an FET12 b (corresponding to a second B-FET) of which a drain terminal isconnected to the source terminal of the FET 11 b and of which a sourceterminal is connected to the ground, and a coil L2 (corresponding to aB-coil) having one terminal that is connected to an oscillation part 31b (corresponding to a B-oscillation part)) to which the source terminalof the FET 11 b and the drain terminal of the FET 12 b are connected,and having the other terminal that is connected to the oscillation part31 a.

Herein, the first and second switches involve using the FETs, however,other switching elements may also be usable without being limited to theFETs.

The FETs 11 a, 11 b serving as the first switches might also be calledoutput control switches, output control FETs, main switches, main-sideFETs, high-side switches, high-side FETs, and so on.

The FETs 12 a, 12 b serving as the second switches might also be calledsynchronous rectification switches, synchronous rectification FETs,synchronous rectification side switches, synchronous rectification sideFETs, low-side switches, low-side FETs, and so forth.

Diodes 14 are disposed in parallel with the synchronous rectificationFETs 12 a, 12 b.

Then, a control circuit 15 drives the FET 11 a and the FET 12 a so thatthese FETs become an ON-state alternately or drives the FET 11 b and theFET 12 b so that these FETs become an ON-state alternately.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing ON/OFF time changes of the output controlFETs 11 a, 11 b and the synchronous rectification FETs 12 a, 12 b.

Thus, the output control FETs 11 a, 11 b output a voltage applied to theinput terminal 10 a during the ON-state set by the control circuit 15,and the voltage is smoothed by the inductors L1, L2 and by a capacitorC1. Namely, the DC-DC converter 1 b converts the input voltage into anoutput voltage corresponding to a duty ratio of the output control FETs11 a, 11 b.

The control circuit 15 includes an FET driver (corresponding to anA-driving unit) 26 a connected between the gate and the source of theoutput control FET 11 a and the synchronous rectification FET 12 a anddriving the FET 11 a and the FET 12 a so that these FETs become theON-state alternately, an FET driver (corresponding to a B-driving unit)26 b connected between the gate and the source of the output control FET11 b and the synchronous rectification FET 12 b and driving the FET 11 band the FET 12 b so that these FETs become the ON-state alternately,detection units 23, 24 for detecting the outputs, an oscillation controlunit (corresponding to a selection unit) 17 for controlling the FETdrivers 26 a, 26 b in accordance with the outputs etc, and a clockgeneration unit 21 for generating a clock.

The output voltage detection unit 23 serves to detect the output voltageof the converter 1 b and is constructed of, for example, a differentialamplifier etc that inputs, to the oscillation control unit 17, a signal(output deviation signal) corresponding to a difference between theoutput-side voltage of the coil L1 and a reference voltage.

The output current detection unit 24 serves to detect the output currentof the converter 1 b and is constructed of, for instance, a differentialamplifier etc that inputs, to the oscillation control unit 17, a signal(output current signal) corresponding to a voltage difference betweenboth of the terminals of a low-resistance R provided on the side of theoutput terminal 10 b.

The oscillation control unit 17 generates a pulse signal having a widthcorresponding to the output deviation signal from the output voltagedetection unit 23 at a timing of the clock inputted from the clockgeneration unit 21, selectively inputs the pulse signal to the FETdrivers 26 a, 26 b, and sets ON/OFF the output control FETs 11 a, 11 bas shown in FIG. 2. Herein, the oscillation control unit 17 outputs thepulse signal to the FET driver 26 a when the output current signal isequal to or larger than a predetermined value, and outputs the pulsesignal to the FET driver 26 b when the output current signal is lessthan the predetermined value. For example, the oscillation control unit17 has a logic circuit outputting Lo when the output current signal isless than the predetermined value and outputting Hi when the outputcurrent signal is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, and aselector that outputs the pulse signal to the FET driver 26 a when theoutput of the logic circuit is Hi and outputs the pulse signal to theFET driver 26 b when the output of the logic circuit is Lo. Note thatthe predetermined value is not limited to one value and may take aplurality of values. For example, there may be employed the logiccircuit that changes the output to Lo when the output current signal isless than a first threshold value and changes the output to Hi when theoutput current signal is equal to or larger than a second thresholdvalue (where the first threshold value <the second threshold value), andkeeps the present state when between the first threshold value and thesecond threshold value.

Moreover, in the case of existence of an operating state control unit 27grasping an operating state of the load-side circuit 28, the oscillationcontrol unit 17 may receive a piece of operating state information fromthe operating state control unit 27, and may output the pulse signal tothe FET driver 26 a or the FET driver 26 b on the basis of the operatingstate information.

In this case, the oscillation control unit 17 employs, for instance, alogic circuit constructed to output, to the selector, Lo in the case ofthe operating state information representing, e.g., the standby statusand a power save mode and to output Hi in the case of operating stateinformation representing a normal mode.

Further, if the electric power of the input terminal 10 a isproportional to a magnitude of the load, a detection unit for detectingthe input may be provided, and the oscillation control unit 17 mayoutput the pulse signal to the FET driver 26 a or the FET driver 26 b inaccordance with the input.

It is to be noted that a loss in the general type of switching convertercan be classified roughly into a loss occurred when the control circuitdrives the FET, and a loss occurred when the load current flows to theFET/coil, etc. At this time, the former is dominant in the case of thelow load, but the latter is dominant in the case of the high load.

Therefore, it is effective for increasing the efficiency that thesmall-sized FET having a small gate capacitance is used in the circuitbased on the premise of the low load, and the large-sized FET exhibitinglow ON-resistance is employed in the circuit based on the premise of thehigh load.

Moreover, a coil having the high inductance that can delay anoscillation frequency is used in the circuit based on the premise of thelow load, and a coil having the low high inductance is employed forincreasing responsiveness to a fluctuation of the load in a power sourcecircuit based on the premise of the high load.

Such being the case, in the third embodiment, the FET 11 a(corresponding to the first A-switch) and the FET 12 a (corresponding tothe second A-switch) are set to have the larger capacitance than the FET11 b (corresponding to the first B-switch) and the FET 12 b(corresponding to the second B-switch) have.

Moreover, in the third embodiment, the coil L1 is set to have the largercapacitance than the coil L2 has, and is further set to have the lowerinductance than the coil L2 has.

Still further, the FET 11 b and the FET 12 b have a smaller capacitancethan the FET 11 a and the FET 12 a have, and hence the efficiency and anpackaging area can be optimized by setting the capacitance of the FETdriver 26 b smaller than the FET driver 26 a.

As discussed above, the DC-DC converter in the third embodimentselectively drives any one group of the large-capacitance switches (11a, 12 a) and the small-capacitance switches (11 b, 12 b) in accordancewith the load state, and therefore the power source circuit having thehigh efficiency and the high responsiveness can be actualized even inany state of the low-load state and the high-load state.

In particular, the DC-DC converter in the third embodiment employs thecoil L1 having the low inductance when switching in the high-load stateand uses the coil L1 and the coil L2 when switching in the low-loadstate, and the high inductance is obtained, whereby the oscillationfrequency can be set low, and much higher efficiency at the low-loadtime can be actualized.

For instance, when the input voltage is 16V, the output voltage is 3.3Vand the load current is 10 mA, in the circuit in FIG. 13, the inductanceof the coil L3 can not be set large if the high-load time is taken intoconsideration, so that L3=2.5 μH, and, when setting ON-time peroperation to 1 μsec, the oscillation frequency comes to 832 Hz. FIG. 7shows an output voltage and an oscillation waveform in this state.

By contrast, in the circuit in the third embodiment, when setting suchas the coil L1=2.5 μH and L2=97.5 μH, even if the coil L1 at thehigh-load time has the low inductance (2.5 μH), a total inductance ofthe coils L1 and L2 can be set as high as 100 μH at the low-load time,and therefore, in the case of adjusting to the same output voltageripple (deflection width) as in FIG. 7, it is possible to set theON-time per operation to 11 μsec and the oscillation frequency to 275 Hzas in FIG. 8.

Thus, according to the third embodiment, the oscillation frequency canbe delayed and the high efficiency can be actualized while maintainingthe output voltage ripple.

MODIFIED EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram in a modified example 1 of the thirdembodiment. This modified example is different in terms of using asingle coil L12 in place of the coils L1, L2. Note that otherconfigurations are the same.

As shown in FIG. 9, in this modified example, one terminal of the coilL12 is connected to an oscillation part 31 b of the coil L12, the otherterminal is connected to the output terminal 10 b, and a middle point isconnected to an oscillation part 31 a.

Namely, the coil L12 in this modified example includes the coil L1extending from an output-side terminal portion up to the middle pointand the coil L2 extending from the middle point up to the output-sideterminal portion.

With this arrangement, the packaging area can be made smaller than inthe case of providing the coils L1 and L2 separately, thereby enablingthe device to be downsized.

MODIFIED EXAMPLE 2

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram in a modified example 2 of the thirdembodiment. The third embodiment has exemplified the example ofincluding the two tuples of output control switches and of thesynchronous rectification switches, however, the configuration is notlimited to this example, and the output control switches and thesynchronous rectification switches may also be provided.

For instance, as shown in FIG. 10, the FET 11 b, FET 12 b are set as thefirst A-switch and the second A-switch, while an n-th tuple of FETs 11n, 12 n may be connected as the first B-switch and the second B-switch.

In this case, the minimum capacitance is given to the FETs 11 n, 12 nand to a coil Ln. Moreover, the coil Ln may have the minimum inductance.

Then, the oscillation control unit 17 selectively drives any one of theFET drivers 26 a, 26 b, 26 n, corresponding to the load (the outputcurrent and operating state information).

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an external configuration of a notebooktype personal computer (which corresponds to an electronic device andwill hereinafter be also called a notebook PC) as an electronic deviceof the invention. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a peripheryto a power source unit of the notebook PC. The third embodimentexemplifies an example of a notebook PC 10 including the power sourceunit provided with the same DC-DC converter 1 as the first embodimenthas. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment aremarked with the same numerals and symbols, and the repetitiveexplanations are omitted.

In FIG. 11, the notebook PC 10 is constructed of a computer body 51 anda display unit 53 so connected to the computer body 51 as to be openableand closable through hinges 52. Arrowheads X1, X2 indicate a widthwisedirection of the notebook PC 10, arrowheads Y1, Y2 indicate a depthwisedirection, and arrowheads Z1, Z2 indicate a heightwise (thicknesswise)direction. The computer body 51 having a keyboard unit 54 on a top faceincludes a CPU etc. inside, and an accommodation unit 56 for the batterypack 30 is formed on the right side of a lower portion thereof. Theaccommodation unit 56 has an aperture 58 serving as an insert port ofthe battery pack 30 is formed in a right-side surface 57 of the computerbody 51. The accommodation unit 56 is formed in a slit-like shapeextending from this aperture 58 to the vicinity of the middle of thedevice in the direction of the arrowhead X2, and a connector 59 isprovided at an X2-side end portion. Note that the connector 59 isdisposed inwardly of the computer body 51, and hence the body 51 isillustrated in a way that cuts off part of the upper surface thereof inFIG. 11.

The battery pack 30 has a connector 63 taking a flat shape fittable inthe accommodation unit 56 and fitted to the connector 59 at a front endportion in the insert direction (X2). The battery pack 30 iselectrically connected to the power source unit 60 via these connectors59, 63 when fitted in the accommodation unit 56.

Further, the notebook PC 10, to which an AC adapter 20 is connected, issupplied with DC power into which the AC adapter 20 converts commercialAC power.

The AC adapter 20 has a function of converting the electric power of acommercial power source 40 into the DC power of, e.g., 16 V, andsupplying the DC power to the power source unit 60 of the notebook PC10. The power supplied to this power source unit 60 is transferred to aninput terminal 10 a of the DC-DC converter via a diode D3, and the DC-DCconverter 1 converts this power into power having a voltage employed incircuits (load) of the respective units within the notebook PC 10. Notethat FIG. 12 illustrates only one output terminal 10 b from the DC-DCconverter 1, however, the output terminal is not limited to one. Forinstance, a configuration is that the output terminals may be providedfor a plurality of lines, and voltages different from each other may beoutputted therefrom.

Moreover, the power from the AC adapter 20 is supplied also to thebattery pack 30 via a batter charger 61. The battery pack 30accommodates an unillustrated secondary battery, and the battery charger61 charges the secondary battery in the batter pack 30 with the electricpower given from the AC adapter 20. Then, in the notebook PC 10, even ina state where the AC adapter 20 is removed, the power (that is on theorder of, e.g., 12.6 V) from the batter pack 30 is transferred via thediode D2, further converted into the power having a predeterminedvoltage by the DC-DC converter 1 and thus supplied to the circuits(load) of the respective units.

This DC-DC converter 1, which is the same as in the first embodimentdiscussed above, stops or drives the driver circuit prepared for everyFET corresponding to a state of the I/O voltage difference, therebyenabling the optimum drive control.

Hence, according to the third embodiment, the power consumptionefficiency of the notebook PC (the electronic device) can be improved.

Note that the DC-DC converter 1 in the third embodiment may be replacedwith the same DC-DC converter 1 a as in the second embodiment discussedabove. Moreover, the third embodiment adopts the configuration that theselector 17 stops part of the drivers in accordance with the I/O voltagedifference and may, without being limited to this configuration, takesuch a configuration that the selector 17 stops part of the drivers inaccordance with the input voltage or the output voltage.

For example, if the output voltage takes substantially a fixed value,the minimum number of the FETs required can be determined in the sameway as described above from the difference between the output voltageassumed to be this value and the input voltage, and therefore, with theoutput voltage detection unit (differential amplifier) 23 omitted, theselector 17 may stop the drivers of which the number corresponds to theinput voltage of the input voltage detection unit (difference amplifier)22.

Moreover, for instance, if the input voltage takes substantially a fixedvalue, the minimum number of the FETs required can be determined in thesame way as described above from the difference between the inputvoltage assumed to be this value and the output voltage, and therefore,with the input voltage detection unit (differential amplifier) 22omitted, the selector 17 may stop the drivers of which the numbercorresponds to the output voltage of the output voltage detection unit(difference amplifier) 23.

Further, the DC-DC converter 1 in the fourth embodiment may replace thesame DC-DC converter 1 b as in the third embodiment discussed above, andthe oscillation control unit 17 may be constructed to drive any one ofthe FET drivers 26 a, 26 b in accordance with the output current andload operating state information.

<Others>

The invention is not limited to only the illustrated examples givenabove and can be, as a matter of course, changed in a variety of formsin the range that does not deviate from the gist of the invention.

For example, even the configurations given in the following Notes canacquired the same effects as those in the embodiments discussed above.Further, the components thereof can be combined to the greatest possibledegree.

(Note 1) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a plurality offirst switches and the second switch alternately to an ON-state,comprising: a plurality of first driving units driving respectively theplurality of first switches; a second driving unit driving the secondswitch; and a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of firstdriving units in accordance with a load current.

(Note 2) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting the first switchand a plurality of second switches alternately to an ON-state,comprising: a first driving unit driving the first switch; a pluralityof second driving units driving respectively the plurality of secondswitches; and a selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality ofsecond driving units in accordance with a load current.

(Note 3) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a plurality offirst switches and plurality of second switches alternately to anON-state, comprising: a plurality of first driving units drivingrespectively the plurality of first switches; a second driving unitdriving the second switch; and a selection unit stopping part of theplurality of first driving units in accordance with an input voltage.

(Note 4) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a first switch anda plurality of second switches alternately to an ON-state, comprising: afirst driving unit driving the first switch; a plurality of seconddriving units driving respectively the plurality of second switches; anda selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second drivingunits in accordance with an input voltage.

(Note 5) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a plurality offirst switches and a second switch alternately to an ON-state,comprising: a plurality of first driving units driving respectively theplurality of first switches; a second driving unit driving the secondswitch; and a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of firstdriving units in accordance with an output voltage.

(Note 6) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a first switch anda plurality of second switches alternately to an ON-state, comprising: afirst driving unit driving the first switch; a plurality of seconddriving units driving respectively the plurality of second switches; anda selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second drivingunits in accordance with an output voltage.

(Note 7) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a plurality offirst switches and a second switch alternately to an ON-state,comprising: a plurality of first driving units driving respectively theplurality of first switches; a second driving unit driving the secondswitch; and a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of firstdriving units in accordance with an input/output voltage difference.

(Note 8) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a first switch anda plurality of second switches alternately to an ON-state, comprising: afirst driving unit driving the first switch; a plurality of seconddriving units driving respectively the plurality of second switches; anda selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second drivingunits in accordance with an input/output voltage difference.

(Note 9) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a plurality offirst switch and a plurality of second switch alternately to anON-state, comprising: a plurality of first driving units drivingrespectively the plurality of first switches; a plurality of seconddriving units driving respectively the plurality of second switches; anda selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving units,and part or all of the plurality of second driving units in accordancewith a load current.

(Note 10) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a plurality offirst switches and a plurality of second switch alternately to anON-state, comprising: a plurality of first driving units drivingrespectively the plurality of first switches; a plurality of seconddriving units driving respectively the plurality of second switches; anda selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving units,and part or all of the plurality of second driving units in accordancewith an input voltage.

(Note 11) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a plurality offirst switches and a plurality of second switches alternately to anON-state, comprising: a plurality of first driving units drivingrespectively the plurality of first switches; a plurality of seconddriving units driving respectively the plurality of second switches; anda selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving units,and part or all of the plurality of second driving units in accordancewith an output voltage.

(Note 12) A control circuit of a switching converter converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a plurality offirst switch and a plurality of second switch alternately to anON-state, comprising: a plurality of first driving units drivingrespectively the plurality of first switches; a plurality of seconddriving units driving respectively the plurality of second switches; anda selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving units,and part or all of the plurality of second driving units in accordancewith an input/output voltage difference.

(Note 13)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a second switch;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a second driving unit driving the second switch;    -   a load current detection unit detecting a load current; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units in accordance with the load current detected by the load        current detection unit.

(Note 14)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a first switch;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a first driving unit driving the first switch;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   a load current detection unit detecting a load current; and    -   a selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the load current detected by        the load current detection unit.

(Note 15)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a second switch;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a second driving unit driving the second switch;    -   an input voltage detection unit detecting an input voltage; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units in accordance with the input voltage detected by the input        voltage detection unit.

(Note 16)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a first switch;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a first driving unit driving the first switch;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   an input voltage detection unit detecting an input voltage; and    -   a selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the input voltage detected by        the input voltage detection unit.

(Note 17)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a second switch;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a second driving unit driving the second switch;    -   an output voltage detection unit detecting an output voltage;        and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units in accordance with the output voltage detected by the        output voltage detection unit.

(Note 18)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a first switch;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a first driving unit driving the first switch;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   an output voltage detection unit detecting an output voltage;        and    -   a selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the output voltage detected by        the output voltage detection unit.

(Note 19)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a second switch;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a second driving unit driving the second switch;    -   a voltage difference detection unit detecting an input/output        voltage difference; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units in accordance with the input/output voltage difference        detected by the voltage difference detection unit.

(Note 20)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a first switch;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a first driving unit driving the first switch;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   a voltage difference detection unit detecting an input/output        voltage difference; and    -   a selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the input/output voltage        difference detected by the voltage difference detection unit.

(Note 21)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   a load current detection unit detecting a load current; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units and stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the load current detected by        the load current detection unit.

(Note 22)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   an input voltage detection unit detecting an input voltage; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units and stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the input voltage detected by        the input voltage detection unit.

(Note 23)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   an output voltage detection unit detecting an output voltage;        and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units and stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the output voltage detected by        the output voltage detection unit.

(Note 24)

-   -   A switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   a voltage difference detection unit detecting an input/output        voltage difference; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units and stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the input/output voltage        difference detected by the voltage difference detection unit.

(Note 25)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a second switch;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a second driving unit driving the second switch;    -   a load current detection unit detecting a load current; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units in accordance with the load current detected by the load        current detection unit.

(Note 26)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a first switch;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a first driving unit driving the first switch;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   a load current detection unit detecting a load current; and    -   a selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the load current detected by        the load current detection unit.

(Note 27)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a second switch;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a second driving unit driving the second switch;    -   an input voltage detection unit detecting an input voltage; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units in accordance with the input voltage detected by the input        voltage detection unit.

(Note 28)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a first switch;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a first driving unit driving the first switch;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   an input voltage detection unit detecting an input voltage; and    -   a selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the input voltage detected by        the input voltage detection unit.

(Note 29)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a second switch;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a second driving unit driving the second switch;    -   an output voltage detection unit detecting an output voltage;        and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units in accordance with the output voltage detected by the        output voltage detection unit.

(Note 30)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a first switch;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a first driving unit driving the first switch;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   an output voltage detection unit detecting an output voltage;        and    -   a selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the output voltage detected by        the output voltage detection unit.

(Note 31)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a second switch;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a second driving unit driving the second switch;    -   a voltage difference detection unit detecting an input/output        voltage difference; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units in accordance with the input/output voltage difference        detected by the voltage difference detection unit.

(Note 32)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a first switch;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a first driving unit driving the first switch;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   a voltage difference detection unit detecting an input/output        voltage difference; and    -   a selection unit stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the input/output voltage        difference detected by the voltage difference detection unit.

(Note 33)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   a load current detection unit detecting a load current; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units and stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the load current detected by        the load current detection unit.

(Note 34)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   an input voltage detection unit detecting an input voltage; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units and stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the input voltage detected by        the input voltage detection unit.

(Note 35)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   an output voltage detection unit detecting an output voltage;        and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units and stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the output voltage detected by        the output voltage detection unit.

(Note 36)

-   -   An electronic device including a switching converter and a load        operated by an output from the switching converter,    -   the switching converter comprising:    -   a plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second switches;    -   a plurality of first driving units driving respectively the        plurality of first switches;    -   a plurality of second driving units driving respectively the        plurality of second switches;    -   a voltage difference detection unit detecting an input/output        voltage difference; and    -   a selection unit stopping part of the plurality of first driving        units and stopping part or all of the plurality of second        driving units in accordance with the input/output voltage        difference detected by the voltage difference detection unit.

A switching circuit includes: an A-coil connected to an output terminal;a first A-switch switching electric power outputted via the A-coil; asecond A-switch making rectification so as to become an ON-statealternately with the first A-switch; an A-driving unit driving the firstA-switch and the second A-switch alternately; a B-coil connected inseries to the A-coil; and a first B-switch switching the electric poweroutputted via the B-coil and the A-coil. (10)

(Note 38) A switching converter includes: an A-coil connected to anoutput terminal; a first A-switch switching electric power outputted viathe A-coil; a second A-switch making rectification so as to become anON-state alternately with the first A-switch; an A-driving unit drivingthe first A-switch and the second B-switch alternately; a B-coilconnected in series to the A-coil; a first B-switch switching theelectric power outputted via the B-coil and the A-coil; a secondB-switch making the rectification so as to become an ON-statealternately with the first B-switch; an A-driving unit driving the firstB-switch and the second B-switch alternately; and a selection unitcausing the A-driving unit and the B-driving unit to drive selectively.(11)

(Note 39)

-   -   A switching converter according to Note 38, wherein the first        A-switch and the second A-switch is set to have a larger        capacity than the first B-switch and the second B-switch have,        and    -   the selection unit drives the A-driving unit when an output load        is higher than a predetermined value and drives the B-driving        unit when the output load is equal to or lower than the        predetermined value. (12)

(Note 40)

-   -   A switching converter according to Note 38 or 39, wherein the        A-coil may be set to have a larger capacity than the B-coil, and    -   the selection unit drives the A-driving unit when the output        load is higher than a predetermined value and drives the        B-driving unit when the output load is equal to or lower than        the predetermined value. (13)

(Note 41)

-   -   A switching converter according to Note 40, wherein the A-coil        has a lower inductance than the B-coil. (14)

(Note 42)

-   -   A switching converter according to any one of Notes 38 through        41, wherein the A-driving unit is set to have a larger capacity        than the B-driving unit, and    -   the selection unit drives the A-driving unit when the output        load is higher than a predetermined value and drives the        B-driving unit when the output load is equal to or lower than        the predetermined value. (15)

(Note 43)

-   -   A switching converter according to any one of Notes 38 through        42, wherein the A-coil extends from one terminal of the single        coil up to a middle point thereof, and the B-coil extends from        the middle point up to the other terminal thereof. (16)

(Note 44)

-   -   A switching converter according to any one of Notes 38 through        43, wherein the selection unit receives information representing        an operating state of a load-sided circuit, and drives the        A-driving unit or the B-driving unit in accordance with the        information. (17)

(Note 45)

-   -   A switching converter according to any one of Notes 38 through        44, wherein the selection unit drives the A-driving unit or the        B-driving unit in accordance with an output current. (18)

(Note 46)

-   -   A switching converter includes:    -   a first A-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to an        input terminal;    -   a second A-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to a        source terminal of the first A-FET, and a source terminal that        is connected to the ground;    -   an A-driving unit connected to gate terminals of the first A-FET        and of the second A-FET, and driving the first A-FET and the        second A-FET alternately;    -   an A-coil having one terminal that is connected to an        A-oscillation part to which the source terminal of the first        A-FET and the drain terminal of the second A-FET are connected,        and having the other terminal that is connected to an output        terminal;    -   a first B-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to an        input terminal;    -   a second B-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to the        source terminal of the first B-FET and a source terminal that is        connected to the ground;    -   a B-driving unit connected to gate terminals of the first B-FET        and of the second B-FET, and driving the first B-FET and the        second B-FET alternately;    -   a B-coil having one terminal that is connected to an        B-oscillation part to which the source terminal of the first        B-FET and the drain terminal of the second B-FET are connected,        and having the other terminal that is connected to A-oscillation        part; and    -   a selection unit selectively driving the A-driving unit and the        B-driving unit. (19)

(Note 47) An electronic device having a switching converter and a loadoperating by an output from the switching converter, the switchingconverter including: an A-coil connected to an output terminal; a firstA-switch switching electric power outputted via the A-coil; a secondA-switch making rectification so as to become an ON-state alternatelywith the first A-switch; an A-driving unit driving the first A-switchand the second B-switch alternately; a B-coil connected in series to theA-coil; a first B-switch switching the electric power outputted via theB-coil and the A-coil; a second B-switch making the rectification so asto become an ON-state alternately with the first B-switch; an A-drivingunit driving the first B-switch and the second B-switch alternately; anda selection unit causing the A-driving unit and the B-driving unit todrive selectively. (20)

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention can be applied to all types of electronic devices such ascomputers, cellular phones, video cameras, network devices, audiodevices, etc. that utilize the DC power.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosures of Japanese patent application No. JP2005-080640 filedon Mar. 18, 2005, No. JP 2006-051018 filed on Feb. 27, 2006 and U.S.patent application No. 11/239,364 filed on Sep. 30, 2005 including thespecification, drawings and abstract are incorporated herein byreference.

1. A control circuit of a switching converter for converting an inputelectric power to an output electric power by setting a first switch anda plurality of second switches alternately to an ON-state, the controlcircuit including: a first driving unit driving the first switch; aplurality of second driving units for respectively driving the pluralityof second switches; and a selection unit receiving a load current valueand pulse width modulated signals from a comparator and stopping part orthe whole of the plurality of second driving units based on said loadcurrent value.
 2. A control circuit of a switching converter forconverting an input electric power to an output electric power bysetting a plurality of first switches and a plurality of second switchesalternately to an ON-state, comprising: a plurality of first drivingunits driving respectively the plurality of first switches; a pluralityof second driving units driving respectively the plurality of secondswitches; and a selection unit receiving a load current value and pulsewidth modulated signals from a comparator and stopping part of theplurality of first driving units, and part or all of the plurality ofsecond driving units based on said load current value.
 3. A switchingconverter including: a first switch; a plurality of second switches; afirst driving unit driving the first switch; a plurality of seconddriving units driving each of the plurality of second switches; adetection unit detecting a load current value; and a selection unitreceiving said load current value and pulse width modulated signals froma comparator and stopping part or all of the plurality of second drivingunits based on said load current value.
 4. A switching converterincluding: a plurality of first switches; a plurality of secondswitches; a plurality of first driving units driving each of theplurality of first switches; a plurality of second driving units drivingeach of the plurality of second switches; a detection unit detecting aload current value; and a selection unit receiving said load currentvalue and pulse width modulated signals from a comparator and stoppingpart of the plurality of first driving units and part or all of theplurality of second driving units based on said load current value. 5.An electronic device including a switching converter and a load operatedby an output from the switching converter, the switching convertercomprising: a first switch; a plurality of second switches; a firstdriving unit driving the first switch; a plurality of second drivingunits driving respectively the plurality of second switches; a detectionunit detecting a load current value; and a selection unit receiving saidload current value and pulse width modulated signals from a comparatorand stopping part or all of the plurality of second driving units basedon a result of the detection of said load current value by the detectionunit.
 6. An electronic device including a switching converter and a loadoperated by an output from the switching converter, the switchingconverter comprising: a plurality of first switches; a plurality ofsecond switches; a plurality of first driving units driving respectivelythe plurality of first switches; a plurality of second driving unitsdriving respectively the plurality of second switches; a detection unitdetecting a load current value; and a selection unit receiving said loadcurrent value and pulse width modulated signals from a comparator andstopping part of the plurality of first driving units and part or all ofthe plurality of second driving units based on said load current value.7. A switching circuit comprising: an A-coil connected to an outputterminal; a first A-switch switching electric power outputted via theA-coil; a second A-switch rectifying the electric power to become directcurrent thereby the second A-switch becomes set to an ON-statealternately with the first A-switch; an A-driving unit driving the firstA-switch and the second A-switch alternately; a B-coil connected inseries to the A-coil; a first B-switch switching the electric poweroutputted via the B-coil and the A-coil; and a second B-switchrectifying the electric power to become direct current thereby thesecond B-switch becomes set to an ON-state alternately with the firstB-switch, and wherein the first A-switch and the second A-switch is setto have a larger capacity than the first B-switch and the secondB-switch have, and the selection unit drives the A-driving unit when anoutput load is higher than a predetermined value and drives theB-driving unit when the output load is equal to or lower than thepredetermined value.
 8. A switching converter, comprising: an A-coilconnected to an output terminal; a first A-switch switching electricpower outputted via the A-coil; a second A-switch rectifying theelectric power to become direct current thereby the second A-switchbecomes set to an ON-state alternately with the first A-switch; anA-driving unit driving the first A-switch and the second A-switchalternately; a B-coil connected in series to the A-coil; a firstB-switch switching the electric power outputted via the B-coil and theA-coil; a second B-switch rectifying the electric power to become directcurrent thereby the second B-switch becomes set to an ON-statealternately with the first B-switch; a B-driving unit driving the firstB-switch and the second B-switch alternately; and a selection unitcausing the A-driving unit and the B-driving unit to drive selectively,and wherein the first A-switch and the second A-switch is set to have alarger capacity than the first B-switch and the second B-switch have,and the selection unit drives the A-driving unit when an output load ishigher than a predetermined value and drives the B-driving unit when theoutput load is equal to or lower than the predetermined value.
 9. Aswitching converter according to claim 8, wherein the A-coil may be setto have a larger capacity than the B-coil, and the selection unit drivesthe A-driving unit when the output load is higher than a predeterminedvalue and drives the B-driving unit when the output load is equal to orlower than the predetermined value.
 10. A switching converter accordingto claim 9, wherein the A-coil has a lower inductance than the B-coil.11. A switching converter according to claim 8, wherein the A-drivingunit is set to have a larger capacity than the B-driving unit, and theselection unit drives the A-driving unit when the output load is higherthan a predetermined value and drives the B-driving unit when the outputload is equal to or lower than the predetermined value.
 12. A switchingconverter according to claim 8, wherein the A-coil extends from oneterminal to a middle point thereof, and the B-coil extends from themiddle point up to the other terminal thereof.
 13. A switching converteraccording to claim 8, wherein the selection unit receives informationrepresenting an operating state of a load-sided circuit, and drives theA-driving unit or the B-driving unit in accordance with the information.14. A switching converter according to claim 8, wherein the selectionunit drives the A-driving unit or the B-driving unit in accordance withan output current.
 15. A switching converter includes: a first A-FEThaving a drain terminal that is connected to an input terminal; a secondA-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to a source terminal ofthe first A-FET, and a source terminal that is connected to the ground;an A-driving unit connected to gate terminals of the first A-FET and ofthe second A-FET, and driving the first A-FET and the second A-FETalternately; an A-coil having one terminal that is connected to anA-oscillation part to which the source terminal of the first A-FET andthe drain terminal of the second A-FET are connected, and having theother terminal that is connected to an output terminal; a first B-FEThaving a drain terminal that is connected to an input terminal; a secondB-FET having a drain terminal that is connected to the source terminalof the first B-FET and a source terminal that is connected to theground; a B-driving unit connected to gate terminals of the first B-FETand of the second B-FET, and driving the first B-FET and the secondB-FET alternately; a B-coil having one terminal that is connected to anB-oscillation part to which the source terminal of the first B-FET andthe drain terminal of the second B-FET are connected, and having theother terminal that is connected to A-oscillation part; and a selectionunit selectively driving the A-driving unit and the B-driving unit,wherein the selection unit drives the A-driving unit when an output loadis higher than a predetermined value and drives the B-driving unit whenthe output load is equal to or lower than the predetermined value. 16.An electronic device having a switching converter and a load operatingby an output from the switching converter, the switching converterincluding: an A-coil connected to an output terminal; a first A-switchswitching electric power outputted via the A-coil; a second A-switchrectifying the electric power to become direct current thereby thesecond A-switch becomes set to an ON-state alternately with the firstA-switch; an A-driving unit driving the first A-switch and the secondA-switch alternately; a B-coil connected in series to the A-coil; afirst B-switch switching the electric power outputted via the B-coil and.the A-coil; a second B-switch rectifying the electric power to becomedirect current thereby the second B-switch becomes set to an ON-statealternately with the first B-switch; a B-driving unit driving the firstB-switch and the second B-switch alternately; and a selection unitcausing the A-driving unit and the B-driving unit to drive selectively,wherein the selection unit drives the A-driving unit when an output loadis higher than a predetermined value and drives the B-driving unit whenthe output load is equal to or lower than the predetermined value.